Boxer Nathan Heaney's message to young fan who sent adorable card

Boxer Nathan Heaney has sent a message to a young fan who gave him a card telling him how proud Stoke-on-Trent was of his achievements.

Stoke City fan Nathan sits close to Isla, 11, at the bet365 Stadium where she gave him the card as the Potters took on West Bromwich Albion last Saturday. In it she wrote, 'Here is a card to say thankyou for making us all so proud. Good luck in your next fight'.

Sharing his response on his Facebook page, British middleweight champion Nathan said: "Just before kick off on the concourse a little girl and her dad came over to me and asked if she could have a picture. I said of course and straight after she passed me a card. It had Stoke stickers all over it that she stuck on herself, she drew a boxing ring inside the card and the message she wrote… 'No matter how hard this game can be, this makes it all worth it'."

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The Hitman, 34, from Fenton, then added: "So to Isla in block 36, row 30 and to your dad, thank-you." The post attracted more than 5,000 likes and nearly 200 comments.

It was shared after Stoke City have applied to change the terms of their premises licence to now include 'boxing or wrestling entertainment' so Nathan can fulfil his dream of fighting at the bet365 Stadium. His last bout - against Brad Pauls - ended in a draw last month.

Nathan is the current British middleweight champion. He has a record of 18 wins and the one draw - with six knockouts. Potential future opponents include Janibek Alimkhanuly, Chris Eubank Jr and Carlos Adames.

Promoter Frank Warren is yet to announce Nathan's next fight. But boxing commentator Steve Bunce has previously called for a Brad Pauls rematch 'outdoors in June'.

Nathan last year spoke of his ambition for a world title fight at the bet365 Stadium. It comes as talks have already been held with Stoke City and the club's chief operating officer Simon King.

Asked about the possibility of fighting at the bet365 Stadium, Nathan told StokeonTrentLive last year: "This would be a once in a lifetime event for the city. I really want to do it - it's what dreams are made of.

"I once dreamed of playing for Stoke City - I was OK at football but I was very small. If you're not in an academy by the time you're 16 there's no chance.

"I have proved myself now as a legitimate fighter and I have the best support in the country. People come from all over the country to my fights - from Devon and Cornwall to Dundee, even from Belfast - and they deserve it. The atmosphere would be brilliant.

"I don't want to overstate anything but people around me say I could absolutely sell the stadium out. It would be amazing. But I do want to fight for the world title in 2024, whether that is at Stoke or somewhere else."

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is consulting residents following Stoke City's application until Monday 15 April. Anyone with any questions about the application can email here before April 15.

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